Geno Smith tossed three third-quarter touchdown passes – two coming on back-to-back plays – as No. 19 West Virginia turned a tight game into a 43-16 romp over visiting Connecticut in the Big East opener for both.

Smith finished 27-of-45 for 450 yards and four touchdowns for the Mountaineers (5-1, 1-0), who avenged last year's overtime defeat that helped the Huskies win the league tiebreaker and a BCS berth over WVU and Pittsburgh.

The game completely turned midway through the third, with the Huskies (2-4, 0-1) trailing 10-9 but controlling the clock and threatening to seize the lead.

On first down at the WVU 13, quarterback Johnny McEntee scrambled and was popped by Pat Miller, jarring the ball loose. Mountaineers freshman Jewone Snow caught it and raced 78 yards down the sideline to the UConn 12.

Two plays later, Smith found Tavon Austin in the end zone for a 17-9 West Virginia lead. The Mountaineers then forced a three-and-out, and on their first play following a big punt, Smith connected with Stedman Bailey on an 84-yard touchdown bomb.

Not only did the Huskies never recover, but before the quarter ended they also yielded a safety and an acrobatic 22-yard touchdown catch by Brad Starks as WVU pushed its margin to 33-9.

Ty-Meer Brown returned an interception for a Huskies touchdown, and Dave Teggart kicked three first-half field goals, including a 53-yarder and a 22-yarder as time expired.